Phillies prospect Bryson Stott has taken a positive step in his development. The 23-year-old shortstop was promoted to Double A Reading on Tuesday.
Stott earned the promotion with a strong opening month at High A Jersey Shore. In 22 games, he hit .288 with five homers and 10 RBIs. He had a league-leading .453 on-base percentage, fueled by 22 walks, the eighth-most in all of minor-league baseball. Stott has also struck out 22 times in 73 at-bats.
The Phillies selected Stott, a UNLV product, with the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 draft and got a good look at him in big-league spring training camp in February and March. Stott struggled in big-league camp, racking up 16 strikeouts in 28 at-bats while hitting just .179. But clearly, he's on a better track now.
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Stott hits from the left side. He can play shortstop and second base. In 16 games and 136⅓ innings at shortstop for Jersey Shore, he made just two errors. He made none in six games and 55 innings at second base.
ON ANOTHER FIRST-ROUNDER
Mickey Moniak, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft, has spent most of his time playing center field for Triple A Lehigh Valley this season. However, manager Joe Girardi recently said the organization sees him as more of a corner outfielder.
Girardi clarified on Tuesday.
MLB
"It's maybe where we see him," Girardi said. "He can play center and I don't have a problem putting him in center, but with the way our team is constructed, we have Odubel (Herrera) in center field, so we could go either way. As far as a prototype centerfielder, (Moniak) probably doesn't have the speed of a lot of them, but I would not be afraid to run him out there."
Girardi said the Phillies called up Travis Jankowski to replace injured Roman Quinn because he's a true centerfielder and was hitting well at Triple A.
WHERE'S MATON?
Nick Maton's playing time has decreased as he's been locked in an 0-for-15 skid in which he has struck out nine times.
"He's had some growing pains, but overall he's played well," Girardi said.
Girardi indicated that Maton would likely start Wednesday afternoon against Cincinnati right-hander Vladimir Gutierrez.
Maton did not start against right-hander Sonny Gray on Tuesday night because Gray is tough on lefty hitters. They entered the game hitting .197 with a .596 OPS against him. Right-handers were hitting .263 with a .802 OPS against Gray so Girardi used Ronald Torreyes at shortstop.
"Gray is a tough matchup for anyone," Girardi said. "Torreyes has seen him and I like the way he's been swinging the bat."
The Phillies are still without starting shortstop Didi Gregorius, who is on the injured list with a bone bruise on his left elbow. Gregorius is throwing and fielding and has begun swinging a bat. He's getting closer to being ready, but he may require some minor-league rehab time.
Bryce Harper won't come off the IL when eligible Wednesday, but it's possible he could be back during the coming homestand, which starts Friday.
FOUR-MAN ROTATION
The Phillies have an odd schedule with seven off days in June. That could allow the team to go with a four-man pitching rotation on occasion and optimize the usage of its top three pitchers, Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler and Zach Elfin, on regular rest.
Will the Phillies do that?
"I think it's a possibility," Girardi said. "Those things are all in discussion right now. We don't have to make a decision today, but we're talking about it."
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